RU2731493C2 - Cartridge receiving device, cartridge system, beverage preparation machine and beverage preparation method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: devices for preparation of soft drinks in domestic conditions.

SUBSTANCE: disclosed is cartridge receiving device (10) for beverage preparation (70) by means of cartridge (2), which comprises container (6) filled with beverage substrate (7), wherein cartridge receiving device (10) is made with possibility of installation in beverages preparation machine (3) and with possibility of connection with cartridge (2), wherein cartridge receiving device (10) has mixing chamber (8) made with possibility of bringing into hydrodynamic connection with vessel (6) and fluid feed mechanism (12) ending in mixing chamber (8). Cartridge receiving device (10) comprises a tenon guide and a tenon guide installed inside the guide pin with possibility of displacement piercing tenon, which is made with possibility of movement between the retracted position, in which the piercing stud is located at a distance from the sealing element of cartridge (2), and an extended position, in which the piercing stud pierces the sealing element and protrudes into container (6). Outer wall of piercing stud has at least one side channel for guiding beverage substrate (7) towards mixer chamber (8) when the sealing element is punctured.

EFFECT: technical result is high efficiency of contamination of machine for preparation of beverage, as well as easy and reliable opening of preliminarily impermeably closed cartridge.

30 cl, 21 dwg

Description

State of the art

The present invention is based on a cartridge system for preparing a beverage, especially a soft drink, capable of being placed in a beverage preparation machine, having a cartridge that has a container filled with a beverage substrate and a cartridge receptacle with a double-sided cartridge attachment into which the cartridge can be inserted with both sides, and a device for emptying the cartridge, which carries out at least partial transfer of the substrate of the drink from the container to the mixing chamber.

Such systems are, in principle, known in the art and are used to prepare beverages from cartridges filled with defined portions of contents. Preparation of drinks using such systems is extremely convenient for the user, since he only needs to insert the cartridge and press the start button. The beverage preparation machine then takes over the production of the beverage in a fully automatic mode, which primarily means that the beverage substrate is mixed with a predetermined amount of fluid, in particular cold and carbonated water, and enters the beverage container. As a result, the user can prepare, above all, cocktails much easier, faster and less laboriously. In this case, the user can choose from a large number of different cartridges so that he can prepare different drinks according to his taste.

A big problem with such systems is the reliable and complete prevention of back-contamination of the brewing machine during brewing, otherwise there is a risk of contamination up to the formation of mold inside the brew unit. This is especially true for cartridges containing beverage substrates containing fruit sugar, alcohol or milk.

In prior art systems, the cartridge is usually inserted into a receptacle provided as a permanent part of the beverage preparation machine, and the cartridge is then opened from both sides, i.e. the inlet and outlet sides.

From the inlet side, water is then fed into the cartridge by the fluid supply mechanism, so that by mixing the beverage substrate with water, the beverage is already formed inside the container in the cartridge. On the outlet side, the beverage leaves the cartridge and enters the beverage container. In this case, the water flows completely through the entire container and thus facilitates the removal of the beverage substrate from the container.

It turned out that when water is introduced directly into a container filled with a substrate, contamination of the feed mechanism cannot be completely prevented, since usually the container is completely filled with the beverage substrate and, as a result, when water is introduced, the pressure in the container increases. Both this pressure increase in the container and the rinsing of the container lead to the fact that during and / or shortly after preparation of the beverage, tiny drops, particles and / or suspended solids of the beverage substrate enter the fluid delivery mechanism and cause permanent fouling there.

Another problem is to seal the cartridge after filling with the beverage substrate with air and fluid impermeability to maintain the aroma of the beverage substrate. But at the same time it is also necessary to ensure that the cartridge in the beverage preparation machine can be easily, reliably and completely opened again so that the beverage substrate can be used.

Disclosure of invention

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge receptacle, a cartridge system, a beverage preparation machine, and a method for preparing a beverage by placing the cartridge system in a beverage preparation machine, in which contamination of the beverage preparation machine is effectively prevented, and easy and reliable opening is ensured beforehand. closed cartridge in the beverage preparation machine.

This problem is solved by means of the cartridge receiving device according to claim 1 of the claims.

The proposed cartridge receiving device and the proposed cartridge system, unlike the prior art, have the advantage that the fluid supply mechanism, unlike the prior art, does not enter the cartridge container, but into a mixing chamber separated from the container.

In this way, contamination of the beverage preparation machine via the fluid supply mechanism is effectively prevented in an efficient and simple and cost-effective manner. For this, the container is not flushed with the fluid, but according to the present invention, the beverage substrate and the fluid enter the mixing chamber separately from each other. The fluid flows directly into the mixing chamber, while the beverage substrate moves into the mixing chamber via the cartridge emptying device and independently of the fluid. For this purpose, the inventive cartridge receiving device furthermore has a piercing bar displaceably installed in the pin guide. The piercing pin in the initial position of the cartridge receptacle is in the retracted position and can be moved from the retracted position to the extended position to open the cartridge sealing member. In the extended position, the sealing element is pierced by a piercing pin, so that the beverage substrate flows through at least one side channel into the mixing chamber, bypassing the sealing element. The container is preliminarily closed by a sealing element, in particular, impermeable to air and fluid. Thus, it becomes possible to easily and reliably open the pre-aroma-tight cartridge in the beverage preparation machine. In addition, it has been found that this prevents back-contamination of the beverage preparation machine in a much more efficient manner compared to the prior art, especially since no overpressure is generated in the container directly affecting the fluid supply mechanism. The design of the mixing chamber in the cartridge receiving device, which can be inserted into the beverage preparation machine from both sides, advantageously ensures that the mixing chamber is part of a replaceable cartridge system. In this way, contamination of the beverage preparation machine with the beverage substrate can be effectively avoided, since only parts of the disposable or reusable replaceable cartridge system can come into contact with the beverage substrate.

Preferred embodiments and improved variants of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims, as well as description with reference to the drawings.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the piercing bar comprises a cylindrical or frustoconical main part and a piercing part extending in the direction of the container, the piercing part being in the form of an obliquely truncated truncated cone. Advantageously, the piercing part is further designed such that the inclined sectional plane of the obliquely truncated truncated cone faces substantially towards the container, the oval contour of the sectional plane being at least partially a cutting edge for perforating the sealing element. It was found that the cross-sectional plane, which is created as a result of the oblique cut of the truncated cone, on the one hand, cuts the sealing element easily and with a fairly moderate application of force and, on the other hand, does not separate chips or individual pieces from the sealing element that would otherwise contaminate drink in an undesirable manner.

The perforation of the sealing element preferably looks such that on that side of the piercing pin, on which the cutting edge protruding most in the direction of the container is made, the material of the sealing element is separated by a smooth cut, while in the region of the section plane of the piercing part, the material of the sealing element is cut still connected to the rest of the sealing element and preferably rolled up or rolled up.

Preferably, the piercing pin includes an intermediate part located between the main part and the piercing part, which is made in the form of a truncated cone, and between the main part and the intermediate part, a circumferential bead is formed, and a circumferential edge is provided between the piercing part and the intermediate part. Advantageously, this results in a more stable piercing bar. The design of the rim has the advantage that the lateral channels, if they extend beyond the rim, have a wider inlet on the side of the container and thus facilitates the movement of the beverage substrate towards the mixing chamber. The collar serves to abut against the stud guide when the piercing stud is in the extended position, so that the extension of the piercing stud towards the cartridge is limited.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the cartridge receptacle has several lateral channels, each lateral channel extending parallel to the piercing pin in the region of the piercing part and in the region of the intermediate part. In this case, the lateral channels are in particular designed in the form of a piercing pin on the outer surface and open on one side of the groove. Advantageously, the lateral channels are at least partially formed in the rear area of the contour of the piercing pin with respect to the sectional plane. This has the advantage that the side channels are located on the side of the perforation of the sealing element on which the cut was made in the material, and not on the opposite side, on which the cut material is still connected to the rest of the sealing element. As a result, the beverage substrate can flow into the lateral channels relatively unimpeded.

It is possible that the cross-section of the side channels and / or the number of side channels is adapted to the viscosity of the beverage substrate, so that the side channels control or otherwise restrict the flow of the beverage substrate towards the mixing chamber. At high viscosities, more side channels or side channels with a larger cross section are used, while at low viscosities there are fewer side channels or side channels with a smaller cross section.

Thus, there is a suitable cartridge receptacle for each cartridge.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the piercing pin has a protection against turning in the form of a rib projecting radially from the main part. Advantageously, this prevents the piercing pin from rotating during movement from the retracted position to the extended position. In addition, it is ensured that the lateral channels are formed on that side of the piercing bar which faces away from the beverage outlet of the mixing chamber and primarily faces the fluid supply mechanism. This achieves improved mixing of the beverage substrate and fluid within the mixing chamber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the piercing pin has an integrated compressed air supply line, which is a device for emptying the cartridge, the compressed air supply line being located along the piercing pin, in particular from the first end of the piercing pin to the second end of the piercing pin. Advantageously, three functions are thus integrated into the piercing bar: 1. The piercing bar contains a piercing part to pierce the sealing element and thus open the cartridge 2. The piercing bar contains lateral channels to enable the movement of the beverage substrate into the mixing chamber 3. The piercing spike contains an integrated compressed air supply line to inject compressed air into the container, causing the beverage substance to enter the mixing chamber under pressure.

Preferably, the second end is provided with a compressed air connector for connection to a compressed air source, and the first end has a compressed air outlet for blowing compressed air into the container. Thus, in the sense of the present invention, the cartridge emptying device integrated into the cartridge receptacle comprises only at least one compressed air supply line through which the compressed air can be introduced into the container from the outside. The receptacle of the cartridge is designed in such a way that, under the influence of compressed air, the beverage substrate moves under pressure from the container into the mixing chamber. Compressed air is primarily supplied from the beverage preparation machine. It is possible for the compressed air source to be directly connected to the compressed air connection as soon as the cartridge system is inserted into the beverage machine. This has the advantage that back-contamination towards the beverage preparation machine is effectively prevented, since the device for emptying the cartridge is pressurized immediately upon insertion of the cartridge system and thus the movement of the beverage substrate towards the compressed air line is prevented and, primarily towards the compressed air source of the beverage preparation machine.

Thus, the beverage substrate, leaving the container, can only move in the direction of the mixing chamber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the outlet of the compressed air is formed as an opening in the sectional plane. This has the advantage that the air entering the container is blown in from the side of the piercing bar facing away from the lateral channels, so that this does not hinder the discharge of the beverage substrate into the mixing chamber. Advantageously, a vortex movement is thus created in the container, which favors an almost residue-free emptying of the container.

The connector for the compressed air supply is primarily formed as an opening in the main part, the main part being arranged in the cartridge receptacle in such a way that the compressed air connector is accessible from the outside of the cartridge receptacle. This facilitates the connection of the compressed air supply line to the compressed air source.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the pin guide has a guide part with an internal guide channel for receiving the piercing pin, the guide channel of the guide part being substantially cylindrical or frustoconical, and at the end of the guide part facing the cartridge a circumferential stop is made, which limits the movement of the piercing pin in the direction of the container, and the stop, first of all, contains a region with a reduced diameter. Advantageously, this achieves a reliable guiding of the piercing pin during movement from the retracted position to the extended position. Advantageously, a groove corresponding to the rib is provided within the wall of the guide channel as a protection against rotation, so that unwanted rotation of the piercing pin is prevented. The guide piece is advantageously located in the mixing chamber and thus protrudes from the bottom of the mixing chamber towards the cartridge.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the piercing pin is designed as a plastic part, and in particular as an injection molded plastic part. Thus, low-cost production is possible. In principle, in an alternative manner, it would also be possible to design the piercing pin as a metal piece.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the piercing pin is designed such that it can be moved from the retracted position to the extended position when the cartridge system is placed in the beverage preparation machine.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, provision is made for the cartridge to have an opening of the cartridge in fluid communication with the container, the opening of the cartridge being closed by a sealing element in the initial position, the sealing element in particular comprising a sealing film which is attached and, preferably, is attached heat seal to the edge of the cartridge hole. Advantageously, the container is sealed and aroma-tight. For this purpose, the sealing foil is, first of all, substantially impermeable to air and fluid. For the manufacture of this cartridge system, first a cartridge is created with a cartridge hole, then the cartridge is filled with a beverage substrate through the cartridge opening, then the cartridge opening is closed with a sealing element and at the end the cartridge receptacle is snapped onto the cartridge in the area of the cartridge closed opening. Before, during or after placing the cartridge system in the beverage preparation machine, the sealing element can be opened in the area of the cartridge opening, for example by piercing the sealing film with a piercing pin, so that the beverage substrate can be transferred from the container to the mixing chamber using compressed air.

Advantageously, provision is made for the mixing chamber to have a beverage outlet through which the beverage created by mixing the beverage substrate with the fluid is dispensed, the receptacle of the cartridge preferably being configured in such a way that the beverage from the outlet is directed directly into the transfer vessel ...

A cartridge receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge receptacle is removably connectable to the cartridge by means of a locking connection. Advantageously, the cartridge receptacle is then secured to the cartridge in a bi-directional manner, in a particularly preferred manner by means of a locking connection. It is possible, for example, for the cartridge to have a bottleneck-like (having a cartridge opening) with a surrounding mounting flange and the cartridge receptacle to snap into place on the cartridge. In this case, in particular, elastic elements, such as, for example, the locking handles, engage with the fastening flange. The cartridge is primarily provided as a disposable container for the beverage substrate, in particular with the possibility of recycling. Advantageously, the cartridge receptacle can be used several times and can be connected to different cartridges. In addition, the manufacture of the cartridge system is simplified since the cartridge and cartridge receptacle can be manufactured separately and only the cartridge receptacle is then snapped onto the cartridge.

The cartridge contains primarily a multifaceted, round or rounded bottle. The cartridge is primarily made of plastic by extrusion blow molding, or extrusion molding, or by additional molding methods. In principle, it would also be conceivable to use a deep drawing method to manufacture a cartridge. Along with this, it is of course also possible for the cartridge to be reusable. In principle, it would also be possible for the cartridge to contain a glass bottle, while only the cartridge receptacle is a plastic part.

According to an enlarged preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the mixing chamber has a beverage outlet through which the beverage created by mixing the beverage substrate with the fluid is dispensed, the cartridge system preferably being configured in such a way that the beverage from the outlet is directed directly into a portable vessel. Advantageously, neither the beverage substrate nor the prepared beverage thus comes into contact with other parts of the beverage preparation machine, so that almost any possible (reverse) contamination of the beverage preparation machine can be effectively prevented. The fluid is fed into the mixing chamber separately. Preferably, the fluid is supplied to the mixing chamber under pressure. The fluid is primarily supplied from the beverage preparation machine. It is possible for the fluid source to be directly connected to an appropriate fluid inlet as soon as the cartridge system is inserted into the beverage preparation machine. In this case, the connector for supplying the fluid is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber via the fluid supply line. This has the advantage that back-contamination towards the beverage preparation machine is effectively prevented since the fluid connector is pressurized immediately upon insertion of the cartridge system and thus the beverage substrate is prevented from moving towards the fluid supply line. and, above all, towards the fluid source of the beverage preparation machine. Thus, the beverage substrate and beverage leaving the mixing chamber can only move in the direction of the beverage outlet. The fluid contains primarily water, preferably pressurized, cooled and / or carbonated drinking water.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the mixing chamber is provided with mixing devices. The mixing devices advantageously provide improved mixing of the beverage substrate and the fluid. For this purpose, the mixing devices are primarily designed in such a way that the fluid entering the mixing chamber is in a vortex motion. It is possible that the mixing devices comprise one or more ribs, which are located in the region of the fluid supply mechanism at the bottom of the mixing chamber and extend primarily vertically relative to the flow of the incoming fluid.

Thus, the mixing ribs function as fluid barriers, whereby the fluid is swirled and improved mixing with the beverage substrate is achieved.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the fluid supply mechanism is supplied with a fluid which is cooled by the refrigeration unit, the refrigeration unit being part of a beverage preparation machine or a separate refrigerator in communication with the beverage preparation machine. Advantageously, in this way, soft drinks can be produced even if the cartridge is not cooled and, for example, is at room temperature. Integration of the system into an existing refrigerator has the advantage that the existing refrigeration unit of the refrigerator can be easily and efficiently shared with the beverage preparation machine. First of all, in the case of so-called side-by-side two-door refrigerators (often also called American refrigerators), there is enough installation space at the front for system integration. It is possible that the beverage preparation machine is a set of additional equipment for such a refrigerator. The refrigeration unit preferably comprises a compressor refrigeration unit, an absorption refrigeration unit, or a thermoelectric cooler.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the fluid supply mechanism is supplied with a fluid which is saturated with carbon dioxide by means of a carbonizer. It is possible for the carbonator to be part of a beverage preparation machine, and wherein the carbonator has a receptacle for a carbon dioxide cartridge and a feed device for saturating the fluid with carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide cartridge. Advantageously, the system can thus also prepare soft drinks saturated with carbon dioxide. Alternatively, it would also be possible for the carbonator to have an external carbon dioxide connection.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the cartridge on the side opposite to the opening of the cartridge has an additional opening of the cartridge, which is closed by a further sealing element, in particular a sealing film. Advantageously, the cartridge can thus be manufactured in a low cost extrusion molding process.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the cartridge and / or cartridge receiving device has a product identification code and the beverage preparation machine or cartridge receiving device has a reader for identifying the product identification code.

Preferably, the product identification code is embedded in a barcode, RFID tag, QR code, 2D matrix barcode, color code, holographic code, or the like. Advantageously, this allows automatic reading of the product identification code. The reader primarily comprises an optical sensor, such as, for example, a CCD camera, which automatically reads a barcode, or QR code, or two-dimensional matrix barcode when the cartridge is inserted into a beverage preparation machine. Alternatively, the reader includes a transmitting and receiving antenna for automatically reading the RFID code. Alternatively, it would be possible for the product identification code to also be embedded in other readable computer chips. The term “QR code” in the sense of the present invention means primarily each and every two-dimensional matrix barcode. In this respect, the term QR code and 2D matrix barcode are used synonymously. Alternatively or additionally, it would also be possible for the product identification code to comprise a barcode, a dot code, a binary code, a Morse code, a braille-based code (font for the blind), or the like. In this case, the code can also be embedded in a three-dimensional structure, such as, for example, a relief. The product identification code contains, first of all, the so-called product identification number, especially the Universal Product Code (UPC), the European Article Number (EAN), the GS1 Code, the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) or the like. no need to introduce a new coding system. First of all, the product identification code complies with the GS1 standard.

The product identification code primarily serves to indicate the beverage substrate in the cartridge. During or before the start of the preparation process, the product identification code is read by the reader. Thus, it is known from the side of the beverage preparation machine which type of cartridge is inserted into the beverage preparation machine. It is possible for the analyzing and regulating device to have several pre-stored beverage preparation programs, which are intended for the preparation of various drinks and differ from each other, for example, in terms of delivery volume, delivery time, delivery pauses, temperature, degree of carbon dioxide saturation and / or pressure supplied fluid. It is also possible that different types of compressed air supply (eg different pressure) are used for different beverage preparation programs. Each beverage preparation program is associated with one or more product identification codes. When the cartridge is placed in a beverage preparation machine, the product identification code on the cartridge is read by a reader and then compared with the previously stored data. On the basis of the product identification code, one beverage preparation program is thus selected from several previously stored beverage preparation programs and then the beverage preparation process is started with the selected beverage preparation program.

Parameters such as dispensing volume, dispensing time, dispensing pauses, temperature, carbon saturation and / or pressure of the supplied fluid are set or controlled by the selected beverage preparation program in order to achieve optimal results for the beverage prepared with the appropriate beverage substrate.

It is possible that the beverage preparation process does not start at all if the product identification code cannot be identified or the identified product code does not match any previously saved beverage preparation program. This prevents the use of a non-system cartridge in the brewing machine that is not certified for use in the brewing machine, and thus there is a risk of damage to the brewing machine or a threat to the user, for example by bursting the cartridge (if provided for operation at lower pressures).

The product identification code is preferably printed or adhered to the cartridge wall or a sealing element (primarily a sealing film) to seal the cartridge opening. First of all, the product identification code is located on the cartridge such that the product identification code is located within the recognition area of the reader of the beverage preparation machine when the cartridge is inserted into the beverage preparation machine. Alternatively, it would also be possible that the product identification code is suitably located not on the cartridge, but on the outer wall of the cartridge receptacle.

Another object of the present invention is a cartridge system for preparing a beverage, the cartridge system being able to be placed in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge system having a cartridge that contains a container filled with a beverage substrate and which has a cartridge receiving device of the invention connected to the cartridge.

Another object of the present invention for solving the initially set problem is a machine for preparing drinks, in which a cartridge system is installed, and the machine for preparing drinks has a fixing unit into which a cartridge receiving device connected to the cartridge is inserted, a source of fluid for supplying a fluid to a fluid supply mechanism; and a compressed air source for injecting compressed air into the compressed air connector.

Advantageously, the beverage preparation machine has an activating element for moving the piercing bar from the retracted position to the extended position.

Advantageously, the activating element is made stationary in such a way that as a result of the movement of the cartridge receptacle relative to the activating element, the piercing pin is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. For this purpose, the securing unit primarily comprises a fastening flange which encloses the cartridge receptacle during or after insertion into the securing unit, and wherein the fastening flange is connected to a manually or motor driven activation mechanism which is provided for displacing the fastening flange in such a way that a relative movement is created between the cartridge receptacle and the activating element in contact with the piercing bar, with the result that the piercing bar is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. The receptacle of the cartridge is thus moved relative to the stationary activating element, so that the stationary activating element presses against the piercing pin and moves it from the retracted position to the extended position. As a result, the sealing film is perforated and the beverage preparation process begins.

Advantageously, the beverage preparation machine has an analyzing and regulating device, which is connected to the reader and is provided for determining the product identification code by analyzing the detected QR code.

Advantageously, the analyzing device, based on the QR code, determines the GS1 code, which allows the unique identification of the cartridge located in the beverage preparation machine. The beverage preparation machine advantageously also has a comparison module which is provided for comparing the determined product identification code with a list of pre-stored product identification codes and selects a beverage preparation program based on the comparison. Alternatively, it is possible for the beverage preparation machine to have algorithmic recognition, which, based on the algorithm, recognizes whether the detected QR code is system-related (ie known) or not. In this case, the algorithm operates in accordance with the known cryptographic encryption / decryption method.

Another object of the present invention for solving the initially posed problem is a method for preparing a drink using the proposed cartridge system, which has the following steps:

- installation of the cartridge system in the fixing block of the beverage preparation machine,

- creating a hydrodynamic connection between the fluid source of the beverage preparation machine and the fluid supply mechanism of the cartridge receiving device,

- creating a pneumatic connection between the compressed air source of the beverage preparation machine and the compressed air supply connector of the cartridge receiving device,

- piercing the sealing element by moving the piercing pin from the retracted position to the extended position,

- moving the beverage substrate from the container to the mixing chamber by supplying compressed air to the container,

- feeding the fluid into the mixing chamber through the fluid supply mechanism and removing the beverage obtained in the mixing chamber as a result of the displacement of the beverage substrate with the beverage fluid through the beverage outlet.

The above steps of the method should not be considered as a mandatory time sequence, on the contrary, they can also be carried out simultaneously or in a different sequence. Advantageously, for example, the actuation of the cartridge emptying device and the supply of the fluid are carried out in parallel.

Advantageously, the fluid is cooled and / or saturated with carbon dioxide before being fed into the mixing chamber, so that soft drinks and soft drinks containing carbon dioxide can be prepared.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that before, during or after insertion of the cartridge system into the locking unit, the piercing pin of the cartridge receptacle is moved from the retracted position to the extended position, and thus the sealing element is pierced by the piercing pin at the opening of the cartridge. Advantageously, the container is thus automatically opened so that the transfer of the beverage substrate into the mixing chamber can be carried out. Advantageously, during the opening process, compressed air and fluid are already supplied to the receptacle of the cartridge, so that contamination of the beverage preparation machine with the beverage substrate is prevented.

Advantageously, the piercing bar is moved by the activating element of the beverage preparation machine from the retracted position to the extended position, the cartridge receptacle preferably being moved relative to the stationary activating element so that the piercing bar is moved from the retracted position to the extended position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that, during or after the insertion of the cartridge system into the retaining unit, the fastening flange of the retaining unit is enclosed by the cartridge receptacle, and wherein the fastening flange is actuated and, in particular, moved manually or by means of a motor the activation mechanism in such a way that a relative movement is created between the cartridge receptacle and the activation element in contact with the piercing bar, whereby the piercing bar is moved from the retracted position to the extended position.

Other details, features and advantages of the invention follow from the drawings, as well as from the following description of preferred embodiments based on the drawings. At the same time, the drawings show only exemplary embodiments of the invention, which do not limit the basic inventive concept.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 shows the basic principle of a method for preparing a beverage with a cartridge receptacle and a cartridge system inserted into a beverage preparation machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A-2B show schematic views of a cartridge, a cartridge receiver, and a cartridge system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A-3B show schematic views of a cartridge receiver and cartridge system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A and 4B show schematic views of a cartridge receptacle and cartridge system inserted into a fixing block of a beverage preparation machine in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A-6B show detailed views of a cartridge receptacle piercing pin according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A-7B are schematic views of a cartridge of a cartridge system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A-8B show schematic views of a cartridge receptacle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Forms of the invention

In the various figures, like parts always have the same reference designations and are therefore usually named or mentioned only once, respectively.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a cartridge system 1 according to the invention, which is inserted into a beverage preparation machine 3 and with which a beverage 70 is prepared, in order to illustrate the general principle of operation.

The present system comprises a beverage preparation machine 3 (shown only schematically) into which replaceable cartridge systems 1 can be inserted. Each cartridge system 1 has a cartridge 2 filled with a predetermined beverage substrate 7 and a cartridge receiving device 10 connected to the cartridge 2. Inside the beverage preparation machine 3, the beverage substrate 7 and an additional source of water, hereinafter referred to as the fluid source 41, can be made into the corresponding beverage 70. The cartridge 2 is advantageously filled with predetermined portion doses of the beverage substrate 7, which are necessary to create portions of beverage, for example to fill a glass with the desired beverage 70. First of all, there are a large number of different cartridge systems 1, the cartridges 2 of which or containers 6 for creating different drinks 70 are filled with different substrates 7 of the beverage. If the user of the system 1 wants to drink a certain beverage 70, he only needs to select from a large number of different cartridge systems 1 that cartridge system 1 that contains the corresponding beverage substrate 7 to create the desired beverage 70, insert it into the fixing block 90 of the beverage preparation machine 3, and, if necessary, start the preparation of a drink in the machine 3 for preparing a drink, for example, by pressing the start button, by a corresponding touch on the touch screen, by gesture or voice control, or by using the corresponding application on the mobile phone.

It is also possible for the beverage preparation process to start automatically when a new cartridge system 1 is detected in the fixing unit 90. In each of the above cases, the desired beverage 70 is then automatically prepared, fed into the beverage container and thus provided to the user. Then the used cartridge system 1 is removed and disposed of. The beverage preparation machine 3 is now ready again to be filled with any new cartridge system 1 to prepare the next beverage 70.

The beverage substrate 7 preferably contains a liquid ready-mixed beverage components such as caffeine, carbon dioxide, fruit and / or sugar soft drinks and juices, beer (beer) drinks or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.

The cartridge system 1 comprises a cartridge 2 in the form of a cylindrical vessel with rounded corners. The container is hollow and thus contains a container 6 for the beverage substrate 7. A typical cartridge 7 is shown in detail in FIG. 2A, 7A, 7B and 7B. The cartridge 2 is primarily made of plastic by means of an extrusion blow molding process. The cartridge 2 also has a cartridge opening 63 through which the container 6 is filled with a liquid beverage substrate 7. The bottom of the container 6 in the example of FIG. 2A is funnel-shaped with an opening 63 of the cartridge located in the center of the funnel-shaped bottom. The cartridge 2 is connected to the proposed cartridge receiving device 10 permanently or with the possibility of double-sided attachment. The cartridge receiving device 10, especially after filling the cartridge 2, can be connected to the cartridge 2 by means of a locking connection 50 in the region of the opening 63 of the cartridge. For this purpose, the cartridge receptacle 10 has, for example, lateral locking elements 51 in the form of elastic locking handles or a running locking edge 51 (FIGS. 8A-8B), which engages one (FIG. 2A) or two (FIGS. 7A-7B) located in the region of the cartridge hole 63, running around the mounting flanges 52 of the cartridge 2. The cartridge receiving device 10, especially after filling the cartridge 2, can be snapped onto the cartridge 2. The exact design of the cartridge receiving device 10 is shown in detail in FIG. 8A, 8B and 8B.

The cartridge receiving device 10 has a mixing chamber 8, which during the beverage preparation process is in hydrodynamic connection with the container 6, so that by means of the cartridge emptying device 34 of the cartridge receiving device 10, the beverage substrate 7 can be at least partially removed from the container 6 into the mixing chamber 8. The device 34 for emptying the cartridge contains for this purpose a line 40 for supplying compressed air. The end of the compressed air supply line 40 is connected to a compressed air supply connector 42, which can be connected to the compressed air source 41 of the beverage preparation machine 3 for introducing compressed air into the compressed air supply line 40, while the other end enters the outlet 43 compressed air, which is open in the direction of the container 6 and introduces compressed air into the container 6. The introduction of compressed air has an effect on the fact that the substrate 7 of the beverage under pressure is fed into the mixing chamber 8.

Further, the mixing chamber 8 includes a fluid supply mechanism 12 of the cartridge receiver 10, which is powered by a fluid source 91 of the beverage preparation machine 3. It is possible for the fluid supply mechanism 12 to have a quick-disconnect coupling by means of which the fluid supply mechanism 12 can be connected to the fluid source 91 of the beverage preparation machine 3. The quick disconnect can be configured such that when the cartridge system 1 is placed in the locking block 90, a hydrodynamic connection is automatically created between the fluid source 91 and the mixing chamber 8 via the fluid delivery mechanism 12. During the preparation of the drink by means of this hydrodynamic connection, the fluid, especially the drinking water cooled and saturated with carbon dioxide, flows from the mechanism 12 for supplying the fluid into the mixing chamber 8. Further, during the preparation of the beverage, the substrate 7 of the beverage is transferred from the container 6 to the mixing chamber. camera 8 as described above. As a result of mixing the beverage substrate 7 with the fluid in the mixing chamber 8, a beverage 70 is created, which then leaves the mixing chamber 8 through the beverage outlet 11.

The cartridge receptacle 10 has a beverage outlet 11 through which the beverage 70 prepared inside the mixing chamber 8 leaves the mixing chamber and, first of all, flows directly into the beverage container (not shown), that is, avoiding the contact of the beverage preparation machine 3 parts with the beverage. This prevents back contamination of the beverage preparation machine 3. The beverage container is primarily located directly below the beverage outlet 11.

After the completion of the beverage preparation process, the cartridge system 1 is removed from the locking unit 90, so that the beverage preparation machine 3 can be equipped with a new and unused cartridge system 1. The cartridge receptacle 10 can be reused, and it is separated from the used cartridge 2 by releasing the locking connection 50 and snaps onto the new cartridge 2.

FIG. 2A-2B are schematic views of a cartridge 2, a cartridge receiver 10, and a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The cartridge receptacle 10 is snapped onto the cartridge 2 in the manner described above and has a mixing chamber 8, a beverage outlet 11, a cartridge emptying device 34 and a fluid supply mechanism 12. In order to seal the cartridge 2 during storage and transport of the cartridge system 1, in the present embodiment, the cartridge opening 63 is closed by a sealing member 18 in the form of a thin sealing film. After the cartridge 2 has been blow molded, the sealing film is glued or heat-sealed to the edge of the cartridge opening 63 (see FIG. 2A). Only then is the cartridge receiving device 10 snapped onto the cartridge 2 (see Fig. 2B).

FIG. 2B shows an alternative in which the cartridge 2 is not blow molded, but extrusion molded. The cartridge 2 has an additional cartridge opening here, which is closed by an additional sealing film 19, and the additional sealing film 19 is similarly attached to the edge of the cartridge additional opening. Since two heat sealing steps are required here, this alternative embodiment is less preferred. FIG. 3A-4A are therefore again based on the FIGS. 2A and 2B cartridge 2.

FIG. 3A-3B are schematic views of a cartridge receiver 10 and a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The cartridge receptacle 10 has a pin guide 80 in which the piercing pin 73 is displaceably mounted. The sealing element 18 is pierced by movement of the movable piercing stud 73 between the retracted position in which the piercing stud 73 is located at a distance from the sealing element 18 (cf. FIG. 3B), and an extended position in which the piercing pin 73 pierces the sealing element 18 (cf. FIG. 3B), and protrudes into the opening 63 of the cartridge or into the container 6.

The outer walls of the piercing bar 73 are provided with several lateral channels 71 for guiding the beverage substrate 7 from the container 6 towards the mixing chamber 8 when the sealing element 18 is punctured. The lateral channels 71 are made in the form of grooves located parallel to each other, open on one side. After piercing the sealing element 18, the side channels 71 come into fluid connection with the container 6, so that the beverage substrate 7 can flow around the edges of the pierced sealing element 18 towards the mixing chamber 8.

The cross-section of the side channels 71 and / or the number of side channels 71 is advantageously adapted to the viscosity of the beverage substrate 7, so that the side channels 71 control or restrict the flow of the beverage substrate 7 towards the mixing chamber 8. At high viscosity, more is used. side channels 71 or / or side channels 71 with a large cross-section, while at low viscosity there are fewer side channels 71 or side channels 71 with a smaller cross-section.

In addition, a compressed air supply line 40 is integrated into the piercing pin 73, which functions as a cartridge emptying device 34. The compressed air line 40 enters through the stationary compressed air nozzle 72 at the end of the piercing bar 73 into the hole 63 of the cartridge when the piercing bar is in the extended position. The tip 72 thus automatically enters the cartridge bore 63 when the piercing pin 73 has been moved to the extended position and thereby pierced the sealing member 18.

On the wall of the piercing pin 73 facing away from the container 6, a connector 42 for supplying compressed air is provided, which is thus accessible from the outside of the cartridge receiver 10 and can be connected to the compressed air supply 41 of the beverage preparation machine 3. Advantageously, the piercing pin 73, upon or after placing the cartridge system 10 in the beverage preparation machine 3 or after starting the beverage preparation process, is transferred from the retracted position to the extended position, preferably by means of a stationary activating element of the fixing block 90 against which the piercing pin 73 presses ...

Advantageously, it is provided that both the fluid source 91 and the compressed air source 41 are directly connected to the fluid supply mechanism 12 or to the compressed air connector 42 as soon as the cartridge system 1 is inserted into the beverage preparation machine 3 or the process is started. preparation of the beverage and, above all, before the sealing element 18 is punctured. This effectively prevents back contamination towards the beverage preparation machine 3, since the fluid supply mechanism 12 and the cartridge emptying device 34 are immediately under pressure and thus prevents the beverage substrate 7 from moving towards the fluid source 91 or the compressed air source 41.

Thus, the beverage substrate 7, leaving the container 6, can only move in the direction of the mixing chamber 8 as soon as the sealing element 18 is opened.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a cartridge receptacle 10 and a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention inserted into a fixing block 90 of a beverage preparation machine 3. FIG. 4B shows a detailed view of the fixing unit 90, which essentially consists of a grip for the cartridge receiver 10, as well as a line leading to the fluid source 91 of the beverage preparation machine 3 for connection to the fluid supply mechanism of the cartridge system 1.

The locking unit 90 has primarily a fastening flange (not shown) which positively engages the cartridge receptacle 10 when placed in the locking unit 90. The locking unit 90 can preferably be operated manually, for example using a control lever. When the user activates the control lever, the cartridge receptacle 10 moves relative to the beverage preparation machine 3 so that the outer end of the piercing bar 73 presses against a stationary activating element (not shown) of the fixing block 90, with the result that the piercing bar 73 is moved from the retracted position into the extended position and pierces the sealing element.

FIG. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 6A, and 6B are detailed views of a piercer 73 of a system cartridge receiver 10 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Integrated into the piercing pin 73 is a compressed air supply line 40 located along the piercing pin 73. The compressed air line 40 extends from the first end 109 of the piercing bar 73 to the second end 108 of the piercing bar 73.

The piercing pin 73 is essentially monolithic composed of three parts: a cylindrical main part 100 located in the direction of the container 6, the piercing part 101 in the form of an obliquely truncated truncated cone and located between the main part 100 and the piercing part 101, an intermediate part 102, which is made in the form of a truncated cone. A wrap-around bead 103 is formed between the main body 100 and the intermediate portion 102, while a wrap-around edge 104 is provided between the piercing portion 101 and the intermediate portion 102.

Due to the design of the piercing part 101 in the form of an obliquely truncated truncated cone, the piercing part 101 has an oblique cross-sectional plane 105 with an oval contour 106, which partially functions as a cutting edge for perforating the sealing element 18. That part of the cutting edge that protrudes farthest towards the container 6, separates the sealing element 18 when perforating it with a smooth cut. The part of the sealing element 18, partially separated by the inclined sectional plane 105 from the sealing element 18, however, is not completely separated from the rest of the sealing element 18, on the contrary, the partially separated part of the sealing element 18 partially folds or rolls over the sectional plane 105. This prevents the separated parts of the sealing element from entering the mixing chamber 8.

On the side of the piercing element 73, which is opposite the sectional plane 105, there are side channels 71. This has the advantage that the side channels 71 are located in the area of a smooth cut in the sealing element 18, through which the beverage substrate 7 can freely flow into the side channels 71 Preferably, exactly five parallel side channels 71 are provided. The side channels 71 extend respectively from the piercing portion 101 through the circumferential edge 104 to the intermediate portion 102, whereby the beverage substrate 7 can better flow into the side channels 71.

The outlet 43 of the compressed air is located inside the plane 105 of the section, while the inlet or connector 42 for supplying compressed air is made in the main part 100.

In addition, the main body is provided with an anti-rotation protection in the form of a rib 107 radially spaced from the body 100. The pin guide 80 has a groove within the wall of the guide channel 110 corresponding to the rib 107, so that the piercing pin 73 is located relative to the pin guide 80 without the threat of turning.

The piercing pin 71 is preferably formed as a plastic part, and particularly preferably as an injection molded plastic part.

FIG. 7A, 7B and 7B are schematic views of a cartridge 2 of a cartridge system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It is seen that the cartridge 2 contains a bottle-shaped object with rounded edges, smoothed longitudinal sides and an opening 63 of the cartridge. In the region of the opening 63 of the cartridge, the cartridge 2 has two circumferential fastening flanges 52 onto which the cartridge receptacle 10 snaps into place.

FIG. 8A, 8B, and 8B show schematic views of a cartridge receiver 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge receptacle 10 has on both sides an at least partially encircling locking edge 51 by means of which the cartridge receptacle 10 is snapped onto the mounting flanges 52 of the cartridge 2. In addition, the cartridge receptacle 10 has a mixing chamber 8, in which on its the rear side is provided with a fluid supply mechanism 12 in the form of a simple through hole in the wall of the cartridge receiving device 10. On the front side at the bottom of the mixing chamber 8, a beverage outlet 11 is provided. The bottom of the mixing chamber 8 in the direction of the beverage outlet 11 forms a steadily deepening recess so that no residual fluid remains in the mixing chamber 8 after completion of the beverage preparation process. Almost midway inside the mixing chamber 8 in FIG. 8A-8B, tenon guide 80 is also visible.

The pin guide 80 comprises a guide piece with an internally disposed guide channel 110 in which a piercing pin 73 is displaceably mounted. The guide channel 110 has a substantially cylindrical shape and protrudes almost perpendicularly from the bottom of the mixing chamber 8 towards the cartridge 2. On facing the cartridge 2 the end of the guide piece is provided with a circumferential stop 111 with a reduced diameter against which the circumferential shoulder 103 of the piercing pin 73 abuts when the piercing pin 73 is moved to the extended position. The collar limits the movement of the piercing bar 73 in the direction of the container 6. At the bottom of the mixing chamber 8, mixing devices are additionally located.

By the above-described anti-rotation in the form of a rib 107 which engages in a corresponding groove on the pin guide 80, rotation of the piercing pin 73 during movement from the retracted position to the extended position is prevented. In addition, it is thus ensured that the side channels 71 are formed on that side of the piercing pin 73 which faces away from the beverage outlet 11 of the mixing chamber 8 and faces the fluid supply mechanism 12. This achieves an improved mixing of the beverage substrate 7 and the fluid within the mixing chamber 8.

FIG. 8A-8B for reasons of clarity, piercing bar 73 is not shown.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 Cartridge system

2 Cartridge

3 Brewing machine

6 Capacity

7 Beverage substrate

8 Mixing chamber

10 Receptacle for cartridge

11 Beverage outlet

12 Fluid supply mechanism

18 Sealing element

19 Additional sealing element

34 Cartridge emptying device

40 Compressed air line

41 Compressed air source

42 Compressed air connection

43 Compressed air outlet

50 Locking connection

51 Fixing elements / fixing edge

52 Mounting flange

63 Cartridge opening

71 Side channel

70 Drink

73 Piercing Spike

80 Thorn guide

90 Fixing block

91 Fluid source

100 Bulk

101 Piercing part

102 Intermediate

103 Collar

104 Edge

105 Section plane

106 Outline

107 Rib

108 First end

109 Second end

110 Guide channel

111 Stop

Claims (37)

1. Receiving device (10) of a cartridge for preparing a beverage (70) by means of a cartridge (2), which contains a container (6) filled with a substrate of a beverage (7), and the receiving device (10) of a cartridge is configured to be installed in a preparation machine (3) drinks and with the possibility of connection with the cartridge (2), and the receiving device (10) of the cartridge has a mixing chamber (8) made with the possibility of being brought into a hydrodynamic connection with the container (6) and a mechanism (12) for supplying fluid that ends in the mixing chamber (8) medium, and the cartridge receiving device (10) comprises a pin guide (80) and a piercing pin (73) displaced inside the pin guide (80), and the piercing pin (73) is movable between a retracted position in which the piercing pin (73) is located at a distance from the seal member (18) of the cartridge (2), and an extended position in which the piercing pin (73) pierces the seal solid element (18) and protrudes into the container (6), and the outer wall of the piercing spike (73) has at least one side channel (71) for guiding the beverage substrate (7) towards the mixing chamber (8) when the sealing element ( 18) is punctured. 2. The receptacle (10) of the cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the piercing pin (73) comprises a cylindrical or frustoconical main part (100) and a piercing part (101) extending towards the container (6), and the piercing part ( 101) is made in the form of an obliquely truncated truncated cone. 3. The receptacle (10) of the cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the piercing pin (73) includes an intermediate part (102) located between the main part (100) and the piercing part (101), which is made in the form of a frusto-conical The main part (100) and the intermediate part (102) have a running shoulder (103), and a running edge (104) is made between the piercing part (101) and the intermediate part (102). 4. The receptacle (10) of the cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the piercing part (101) is made in such a way that the inclined plane (105) of the cross-section of the obliquely truncated truncated cone faces substantially the container (6), and the oval contour (106) of the plane (105) of the section at least partially represents a cutting edge for perforating the sealing element (18). 5. The cartridge receiving device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge receiving device (10) has several lateral channels (71), each side channel (71) extending parallel to the piercing pin (73) in the region of the piercing part (101) and in the area of the intermediate part (102). 6. The receptacle (10) of the cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the side channels (71) are respectively made in the form of a piercing pin (73) made on the outer surface and open on one side of the groove. 7. Receiving device (10) cartridge according to one of paragraphs. 5 or 6, and the side channels (71) are at least partially made in the rear relative to the plane (105) section of the contour region of the piercing pin (72). 8. Receiving device (10) cartridge according to one of paragraphs. 5-7, with the side channels (71) formed on that side of the piercing pin (72) which faces away from the beverage outlet (11) of the mixing chamber (8) and, first of all, faces the fluid supply mechanism (12). 9. The cartridge receptacle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the piercing pin (73) is protected against rotation in the form of a rib (107) radially spaced from the main part (100). 10. Cartridge receiving device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the piercing pin (73) has an integrated compressed air supply line (40), which is a cartridge emptying device (34), the compressed air supply line (40) extending along the piercing the thorn (73), primarily from the first end (109) of the piercing bar (73) to the second end (108) of the piercing bar (73). 11. The receptacle (10) of the cartridge according to claim 10, wherein at the second end (109) there is a connector (42) for supplying compressed air for connecting to a source (41) of compressed air, and at the first end (108) - an outlet ( 43) compressed air for blowing compressed air into the container (6). 12. The receptacle (10) of the cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the outlet (43) of the compressed air is made in the form of an opening in the plane (105) of the section. 13. Receiving device (10) cartridge according to one of paragraphs. 11 or 12, wherein the connector (42) for supplying compressed air is made in the form of an opening in the main part (100) and wherein the main part (100) is located in the receiving device (10) of the cartridge in such a way that the connector (42) for supplying compressed air accessible from the outside of the cartridge receiving device (10). 14. Cartridge receptacle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pin guide (80) has a guide part with an inside guide channel (110) for receiving the piercing pin (73), and the guide channel (110) of the guide part is substantially in the form of a cylinder or truncated cone, and moreover, at the end of the guide part facing the cartridge (2), a running stop (111) is made, which limits the movement of the piercing pin (73) in the direction of the container (6), and the stop (111), above all, contains an area with a reduced diameter. 15. The cartridge receptacle (10) according to claim 14, wherein a groove corresponding to the rib (107) is formed inside the wall of the guide channel (110) as a protection against rotation. 16. Receiving device (10) cartridge according to one of paragraphs. 14, 15, the guide part being located in the mixing chamber (8) and protruding from the bottom of the mixing chamber (8) towards the cartridge (2). 17. The cartridge receptacle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the piercing pin (73) is designed as a plastic piece and, above all, as an injection-molded plastic piece. 18. Cartridge receptacle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the piercing spike (73), when the cartridge system (1) is placed in the beverage preparation machine, is a movable activating element of the beverage preparation machine from the retracted position to the extended position. 19. The cartridge receiving device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge emptying device (34) is designed in such a way that, under the influence of compressed air, the beverage substrate (7) moves under pressure from the container (6) into the mixing chamber (8). 20. Receiving device (10) of the cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixing chamber (8) has a beverage outlet (11) through which the beverage (70) created by mixing the beverage substrate (7) with a fluid is dispensed, the receiving the cartridge device (10) is preferably configured in such a way that the beverage (70) from the beverage outlet (11) is directed directly into the transportable container. 21. Cartridge receptacle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge receptacle (10) is removably connectable to the cartridge (2) by means of a locking connection (50). 22. Receiving device (10) of the cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cartridge (2) has an opening (63) of the cartridge located in hydrodynamic connection with the container (6), and the opening (63) of the cartridge in the initial position is closed by a sealing element (18) wherein the sealing element (18) primarily comprises a sealing film which is attached and preferably heat-sealed to the edge of the opening (63) of the cartridge. 23. Cartridge system (1) for preparing a beverage (70), and the cartridge system (1) is configured to be installed in a machine (3) for preparing drinks, and the cartridge system (1) has a cartridge (2) that contains a substrate filled (7 ) a beverage container (6), and a cartridge receiving device (10) connected to the cartridge (2) according to one of the preceding paragraphs. 24. A beverage preparation machine (3) for preparing a beverage (70), into which a cartridge system (1) according to claim 23 is installed, wherein the beverage preparation machine (3) has a fixing unit (90), into which is inserted connected to the cartridge (2) a cartridge receiving device (10), a fluid source (91) for supplying fluid to the fluid supply mechanism (12), and a compressed air source (41) for blowing compressed air into the compressed air connector (42). 25. A beverage preparation machine (3) according to claim 24, wherein the beverage preparation machine (3) has an activating element for transferring the piercing spike (73) from the retracted position to the extended position, and, advantageously, the activating element is made stationary in such a way that As a result of the movement of the cartridge receiver (10) relative to the activating element, the piercing pin is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. 26. A beverage preparation machine (3) according to claim 25, wherein the retaining unit (90) comprises a fastening flange that encloses the cartridge receptacle (10) during or after insertion into the retaining unit and wherein the fastening flange is connected to the manually operated or with a motor-driven activation mechanism, which is provided for displacement of the mounting flange in such a way that a relative movement is created between the cartridge receptacle (10) and the activating element in contact with the piercing pin (73), as a result of which the piercing pin (73) is transferred from retracted position to extended position. 27. A method of preparing a beverage (70) using a cartridge system (1) according to claim 23, having the following steps: installation of the cartridge system (1) in the fixing block (90) of the machine (3) for preparing a drink, creating a hydrodynamic connection between the fluid source (91) of the beverage preparation machine (3) and the fluid supply mechanism (12) of the cartridge receiving device (10), creating a pneumatic connection between the compressed air source (41) of the beverage preparation machine (3) and the connector (42) for the compressed air supply of the cartridge receiving device (10), piercing the sealing element (18) by moving the piercing pin (73) from the retracted position to the extended position, moving the substrate (7) of the drink from the container (6) to the mixing chamber (8) by supplying compressed air to the container (6), supplying fluid to the mixing chamber (8) by means of a fluid supply mechanism (12) and withdrawing the beverage obtained in the mixing chamber (8) by mixing the substrate (7) with the beverage fluid (70) through the beverage outlet (11). 28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the fluid is cooled and / or saturated with carbon dioxide before being fed into the mixing chamber (8). 29. The method according to one of paragraphs. 27 or 28, characterized in that the piercing thorn (73) is moved by the activating element of the beverage preparation machine (3) from the retracted position to the extended position, and the cartridge receiving device (10) is preferably moved relative to the stationary activating element that the piercing thorn (73) is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. 30. A method according to claim. 29, wherein during or after insertion of the cartridge system (1) into the retaining block (90), the fastening flange of the retaining unit (90) encompasses the cartridge receptacle (10), and wherein the fastening flange is actuated and in particular are moved by a manually or motor driven activation mechanism in such a way that a relative movement is created between the cartridge receptacle (10) and the activating element in contact with the piercing pin (73), whereby the piercing pin (73) is transferred from retracted position to extended position.

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